A man from Cornwall has revealed how he became intertwined in a plot to aid the escape of a runaway princess from Dubai.

Former Leeds United MD David Haigh says he was part of a 'rescue mission' for 33-year-old Sheikah Latifa Mohammed Al Maktoum, who claims to be one of 30 children of Dubai's ruler.

Sheikah Latifa reportedly fled the country to find asylum in America in March but the yacht she was travelling in was intercepted less than 50 miles from the coast of India and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

In a Youtube video, that the princess instructed was to be shared in the event of her death or disappearance, she spoke of her plan to escape.

Speaking to the camera, she announced: “I’m making this video because it could be the last video I make.

Much of the alleged Princess Latifa escape from Dubai, was reportedly orchestrated from right here in Cornwall (Image: Youtube/Detained in Dubai)

"Pretty soon I'm going to be leaving somehow I'm not sure of the outcome, but I'm 99% positive this could work."

Tiina Jauhiainen, from Finland, was on the yacht when it was hi-jacked and had no choice but to watch her close friend Sheikah Latifa being dragged away “kicking and screaming for her life”.

Ms Jauhiainen said she met the princess in 2010 when she was her personal trainer but it wasn’t until six years later, that she opened up about her desire to leave Dubai and her previous attempts to escape.

Speaking to Cornwall Live in Truro Cathedral alongside David Haigh, Ms Jauhiainen said: “We were on the boat for eight days and I think after about five days, we were aware that we were being followed, we saw some planes circling above us.

“But of course we couldn’t expect what really happened to us.

Tiina Jauhiainen at Truro Cathedral (Image: Sally Adams)

“It was basically commandos boarding the boat in the evening, at around 10pm at night.

“They had machine guns with laser sights and they threw hand grenades in the boat so we eventually had to come up from the cabin, from the lower deck because it was filled with smoke so we couldn’t breathe any more – at that point there was blood on the floor, I didn’t know what had happened because I didn’t see any of the crew.

“Some time after, I don’t really know how much time had passed but I was taken to the front of the boat and that’s where I saw Latifa. She was basically repeatedly saying ‘I’m seeking political asylum’ and they were telling her to shut up or they were threating to shoot her as well.”

Afterwards, Ms Jauhiainen said she was jailed in UAE, where she was interrogated and threatened with the death penalty.

She said she feared for her life and had no idea that people outside were working hard for her release.

She added: “The release was a big surprise because they literally told me that nobody knows you are here.”

When she was finally let go, Ms Jauhiainen said she was warned not to tell anyone what had happened.

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Since his release, life in Cornwall has given Mr Jaubert the opportunity to try to recover from the harrowing experience and also campaign for the Sheikah Latifa’s release with Mr Haigh, who was once himself jailed in Dubai.

The Cornish connection in the plot of the runaway princess

From 2014 Mr Haigh, originally from Sancreed, was incarcerated in a Middle East jail for 22 months where he claimed he was tortured.

Following his release he decided that he wanted to help others that have been in similar situations and became a partner in the organisation Detained in Dubai , which helps to raise awareness, provide support and legal aid to those jailed there.

David Haigh at Truro Cathedral (Image: Sally Adams)

He said: “I met my business partner and she had set up Detained in Dubai about ten years ago, in that time she has helped around 10,000 people.

“We do as much as we can to make sure people know the risk when they go out there. We’ve set up a law firm to help and we set up the Detained in Dubai charity for those who can’t afford the help.”

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Mr Haigh says he received a call from Sheikah Latifa just before she vanished.

He said: "We received a distress call from Latifa along the lines of 'I'm scared, there's gun shots, there's men outside'.”

As soon as contact was lost, Haigh got to work, contacting all media and sharing the dramatic 40 minute video that Princess Latifa allegedly recorded and sent to Detained in Dubai.

Both David and Tiina say they are incredibly concerned for the safety of the princess (Image: Sally Adams)

He shared details of the people who were said to be with her at the time of the reported disappearance.

Once news started to spread Mr Jaubert and Ms Jauhiainen, along with three other unnamed people who were on the boat at the time, were released.

Now Mr Haigh and his Detained in Dubai business partner Radha Stirling say they are continuing to fight for the princess' freedom.

Free Latifa gains international backing

Through their persistence in gaining publicity for the Free Latifa campaign, the group has gained the backing of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations.

A public statement released by Amnesty International states: “Amnesty International calls on the UAE to immediately disclose Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum’s whereabouts.

“If she is deprived of her liberty, she should have contact with lawyers and loved ones and access to all fair trial guarantees.

“If she is only held for having tried to flee the country or for any other reason incompatible with human rights standards, she should be immediately and unconditionally released and her right to freedom of movement, including travel abroad, should be respected.

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“The UAE – a federal state of which Dubai is a constituent member – should act to ensure that Dubai respects the human rights of its citizens and all those under its jurisdiction.

“Amnesty International also calls on India to investigate the incident and the role of its security forces, including the allegations of beatings which could amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, and ensure those responsible are held to account.”

The Truro and Falmouth branches of Amnesty International have also assisted the Free Latifa campaign from Cornwall.

A spokesman said: “Following a meeting of local group members with Tina and David of the #FREELATIFA Campaign, we were concerned to hear about the case of Latifa Al Maktoum, who has now been missing for over seven months, and would like to voice our support for the campaign.

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“Amnesty International has called on the UAE to grant Sheikha Al Maktoum full and unrestricted freedom of movement and communication with the outside world; to investigate allegations of her mistreatment in detention, from 2002 to present; and to take measures to hold accountable officials at any level who may be complicit in holding her incommunicado.

“If warranted her situation should be investigated as a case of enforced disappearance.

“More generally, Amnesty International calls on the UAE to respect and uphold women’s rights as legal co-equals with men and, accordingly, to eliminate discriminatory legislation and related social practices."